What's your position regarding the island annexation of rural properties into the city?

Arch Naramore:

I'm not in favor of it.

Moderator:

One of our readers - csoul - wants to know what Arch's position is on the Complete Streets initiative. Complete Streets is a national movement that would like roadways to include bikes, mass transit, cars and pedestrian walkways.

Since the commissioners have gone to meeting once a week instead of twice a week, would you be willing to take a pay cut? Several years ago the commissioners took a pay cut for this very same reason. As you proably know school board members receive no pay, city commissioners receive 1/3 the salary of county commissioner who make over 32K per year, plus retirement and health insurance.

How would you change unchecked growth in the county from an environmental aspect, keeping in mind that tillable farm land is disappearing in this country and our area and water will eventually become an issue for our descendants.

Arch Naramore:

Well first on the unchecked growth in the county, the urban growth area of the northeast sector - which is the Midland area and all of north Lawrence - they want to build houses there and that is where all the fine farm land is. It's like you are shooting yourself in the foot to make all that area out there residential. And, you don't build homes behind levees.

There was a planning commission vote in 2003 about making that area the urban growth area, and it seemed like it was benefiting landowners that were also on the planning commission.

Moderator:

How would you describe your top three priorities if you were elected to the Douglas County Commission?

Also, just a reminder, you can continue to submit questions until the chat is closed.

Arch Naramore:

First, I think you file a complaint against KU Athletics to take away their nonprofit status. Second, I would like to have a group that is like the Save Our Neighborhood Schools group to look at the county budget. We should have more than one person doing the county budget. Thirdly, I'd like to look into why there is so much discrepancy in the computer-assisted mass appraisal in Douglas County. For example, pieces of land in one area are valued higher that are in a wealthier area of land. I think there's a problem with the computer system. Douglas County is one of 14 in the state that uses the system. I think it needs investigating.

Moderator:

What made you decide that this year was the time to run for county commission?

Arch Naramore:

The commission seat that is open -- if no one ran -- would have been given to someone based on the vote of about 20 precinct committeemen. One way or the other, if no ran, it would have been 20 people making the decision for 25,000 voters.

Moderator:

We'd like to thank Arch for joining us. We'd also remind everyone that we have another chat -- with 3rd Congressional District Candidate Kevin Yoder -- coming up at 4:30. We have more Election 2010 chats coming up soon. Visit LJWorld.com/chats for more details.